Combating Sickle cell disease
— The world’s leading genetic disease —
Sickle cell disease is a serious chronic genetic affliction that is believed to affect more than 300,000 infants in sub-Saharan Africa each year. These figures motivated Fondation Pierre Fabre to join the fight against this little publicised disease in 2006.
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Sickle-cell disease, the world’s most widespread genetic disease – particularly in Africa –, affects the haemoglobin, resulting in very painful, acute attacks and potentially fatal complications, especially in children.
Approximately 50 million people worldwide are carriers of sickle cell trait and therefore likely to transmit this genetic haemoglobin disorder to their offspring. This disease, emblematic of the populations of Africa and its diaspora, limits the life expectancy of those afflicted if they do not receive proper treatment: it is thought that half the children die before the age of five.
As a “neglected” and under-diagnosed illness, sickle-cell disease is a global health concern that is nevertheless not addressed by major international aid programmes. The Fondation Pierre Fabre has been dedicated to fighting this disease for over a decade, with several clear objectives: improve screening and treatment, train healthcare professionals and encourage research, while serving as a powerful advocate for those with sickle-cell disease to help make the illness a global health priority.
The Foundation is focusing its efforts on neonatal screening for the disease, an uncommon practice in Africa, and facilitating access to proper care. Starting with the Research Centre to combat sickle cell disease (CRLD) founded in Bamako, it intends to broadly disseminate the necessary skills for this battle elsewhere on the continent and in the Caribbean region, and forge effective South-South collaborations.
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| Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease — Burkina Faso — |
Creating and developing the Research Centre to combat sickle cell disease — Mali — |
Operational study on early detection and treatment of sickle cell disease — Sénégal — |
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| Feasibility study for a sickle cell disease treatment programme — Haiti — |
Improving healthcare and social services for those with sickle cell disease — Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Madagascar, DRC — |
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| Support for the sickle cell treatment unit at the Centre Hospitalier Monkole — RDC — |
Supporting a programme to fight sickle cell disease — Madagascar — |
Strengthening management of sickle cell disease in Bangui — République centrafricaine — |
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| Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of sickle cell disease — Burkina Faso — |
|
| Creating and developing the Research Centre to combat sickle cell disease — Mali — |
|
| Operational study on early detection and treatment of sickle cell disease — Sénégal — |
|
| Feasibility study for a sickle cell disease treatment programme — Haiti — |
|
| Improving healthcare and social services for those with sickle cell disease — Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Madagascar, DRC — |
|
| Support for the sickle cell treatment unit at the Centre Hospitalier Monkole — RDC — |
|
| Supporting a programme to fight sickle cell disease — Madagascar — |
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| Strengthening management of sickle cell disease in Bangui — République centrafricaine — |
Suivre notre action
The Fondation Pierre Fabre introduces “E-Sickle Cell Disease”, a training programme for healthcare professionals
In parallel with World Sickle Cell Day, the Fondation Pierre Fabre announces the first training platform dedicated to sickle cell disease, “E-Drépanocytose” (“E-Sickle Cell Disease”). The programme is designed to help healthcare professionals recognise symptoms of, and screen for, this disease and provide regular monitoring of sickle cell patients. Through a network of partners in the field, the platform is being implemented in healthcare centres in French-speaking African countries.
The Pierre Fabre Foundation joins forces with CANAL+ to raise awareness for 2 major health causes
The Pierre Fabre Foundation, which has been involved for years in the fight against sickle cell disease and the prevention and treatment of skin cancers in people with albinism, the first two causes to be addressed, has naturally joined forces with the Canal+ Group to contribute its knowledge and network of experts to this awareness-raising campaign. Canal+ Afrique will also allow the free broadcast of video content produced by the Pierre Fabre Foundation.
The DRC introduces a national plan to combat sickle cell disease
Defined by the public authorities of the DRC with the support of the Fondation Pierre Fabre, the national strategy to fight sickle cell disease was presented to major international health partners last September in Kinshasa and validated in early November. Its objective is to have the disease made part of the essential health services package by 2022.